Friday, March 4, 2011

And the final winner of Surrender the Night is....

Kaitlin Rose! Congratulations!! And thanks everyone for entering and for your great comments.

Here are the answers to last week's quiz.

What does Alex say next?

A, Of course, anything to please you, my dear.
B. Need I remind you, I am an officer, not a farmer?
C. When did I become part of your rebel American family?
D. Tell your precious cow to sleep in today.

Most of you got this wrong and I realized later on that it was pretty hard to tell what his answer would be. Anyway, the answer is B. Most of you guessed D. Which is also a great answer and one I should have probably used in the book!

What does Rose say next?
A. Rose narrowed her eyes. "I'm afraid it's all we can afford."
B. She smiled at him sweetly. "American beds are reserved for Americans."
C. Rose's heart sank. "I'll see what I can do for you, sir."

On the writing front, I'm working on the editorial changes to Surrender the Dawn. They are due Monday and I'm hoping to finish today since my hubby, who has been gone for a week on business in Japan, is coming home tomorrow. Want a sample? For those of you who have read the first book, you're quite familiar with Luke Heaton.

This is a snippet from chapter 2 of my next book SURRENDER THE DAWN!
Not to be released until August 2011

“Nevertheless, miss, you shouldn’t walk about town at night without benefit of an escort.”

“Lately, there are many things I’m told I should not do.”

He swayed slightly on his feet and the smell of rum once again stung her nose. “Indeed. I suffer from the same malady.”

“I doubt our situations are comparable.” She glanced at the dark frame of a schooner tied at the dock. “How did you come to my rescue so suddenly? I did not see anyone else about.”

“I was working on my ship when I spotted you across the street.”

His ship. But she’d heard no one would hire him as a captain. “A privateer?”

Mr. Heaton gazed at the vessel bobbing in harbor and sighed. “Alas, she could be one day.” He gestured toward her reticule. “What is it you have in your reticule that would lure such rats from their holes?”

She eyed him suspiciously, wishing she could see the details of his face more clearly. “Nothing of import.” She gripped it tighter. “I had business at the Merchants coffee house.” A chill prickled her skin. Surely this man wouldn’t attempt to rob her after he’d defended her so admirably. She took a step back. “I thank you again, Mr. Heaton, but I really must be on my way.”

“Allow me to escort you home.” Closing the distance between them once again, he proffered his elbow. His massive chest spanned her vision even as his body heat cloaked her in warmth. Her breath quickened.

“There is no need.” Turning, she waved him off. “I’m sure there are no more ruffians afoot.” Except you, perhaps.

Mr. Heaton fell in step beside her. “Nevertheless, I would never forgive myself should any harm come to you, especially carrying such a fortune.”

Mr. Heaton scratched the stubble on his chin. “I was aware of the proceedings at the coffee shop tonight, miss. I would have been there myself looking for investors if I’d thought anyone in town would take a chance on me as captain.” Sorrow weighed his voice.

Cassandra took in this news and allowed it to stir excitement within her. If only for a moment. But no. Even if he would take her money, Mr. Heaton was not a man to be trusted. She clutched her reticule closer and started on her way.

Clearing his throat, he walked beside her. “You have nothing to fear from me, Miss Channing. I am no thief. A gambler, perhaps, even a libertine, but no thief.” He stumbled, but quickly leveled his steps.

Cassandra shook her head. How on earth had he managed to wield his sword so skillfully in his condition? She stopped and faced him. “You are drunk, sir.”

“Ah, yes.” He gave her a rakish grin. “How could I forget? Apparently, I’m also a sot.”

Cassandra searched for a glimpse of his eyes in the darkness, but the shadows denied her. How could he joke about such a disgusting habit?

“Wondering how I managed to fend off three men?”

“Two.” She lifted her chin. “I took care of one of them.”

He chuckled and reached up as if he would touch the loose strands of her hair.

She began walking again. “Please leave me be, Mr. Heaton. I thank you for your assistance. Good night.”

“You should see my swordplay when I’m sober, miss,” he shouted after her.

Friday, March 4th,"Afternoon, MaryLu".And an added "Congratulations" to Kaitlin Rose (which by the way ... I love that name ... isn't it pretty) ???Re the quiz, I got the first one incorrect ... truly "thought/assumed" Alex's answer would be #D though. (Maybe keep that line/answer for yet another upcoming novel, but with a change of characters, of course.) However, I did get the second one correct, Rose's response.Thanks for 'all' of those chances to 'try to win' your newest book, (throughout February), MaryLu ... most appreciated !All the best - working on your editorial changes to 'Surrender The Dawn' (to be done before/by Monday). And, hope you get to spend some time with your husband, when he arrives back home.Enjoy the weekend.Take care, and, God Bless,In Him, Brenda Hurley

Friday, March 4th,Oh good grief ... just "knew" I'd forget something (in the message above) .....I totally meant to mention, that the 'snippet' you showed us (from 'Surrender the Dawn') ... once again, proves to be another amazing book !!! Have said this before to you ... but I do love/enjoy/appreciate your God-given writing talent, MaryLu !!! You just have - such a way with 'words and wordings' ! This book is truly, to look forward to. Another 'work of art' !Keep on - keeping on, writing !!!Take care, and, God Bless,In Him, Brenda Hurley

Congrats to the winner! You will love this novel!Surrender the Dawn sounds soooooooo good. I am not quite finished with Surrender the Night and I already want to read Surrender the Dawn. I love these characters! I will be praying that you finish what you need to finish today, Cap'n, so that you can focus your weekend on you and your hubby. My hubby is still searching for that job that God has for him. We are both in good spirits about the whole thing. We are enjoying each others company while he is home. God's plans may take some time to form, but they do form. So, in the meantime, we do what we need to do. God bless your weekend.

Thank you Brenda! I absolutely adore Luke and Cassandra's story.. couldn't help but share a small piece of it.And Debbie.. thank you as well. I'll keep praying for a job for your hubby! But I love your faithful attitude. okay, back to edits!

Congrats Kaitlin!I am already hooked from this little snippet of Surrender the Dawn!! I am half way done with Surrender the Night but I cant wait to read the third book in the series. Thanks for sharing.

I'm making a chrisitanbook.com order this weekend, and Surrender the Night is in my shopping cart - can't wait to start reading it! :-)

And Surrender the Dawn sounds amazing! Your stories with privateers are my favorites - to me, privateers combine the bravery and honor of a soldier with the danger and adventure of a pirate. I still swoon every time I read about Merrick. :-)

LOVE the excerpt!! Thank you so much for sharing it MaryLu! I just finished Surrender the Night (it was WONDERFUL!) about 10 minutes ago and I wanted to see if I could find an excerpt for Surrender the Dawn anywhere and Google led me here :D Dear Luke *SIGH* I loved him from his first scene with Noah in Surrender the Heart and I CANNOT wait for his and Cassandra's story!! From his scenes in the first two books I can see how he shares similarities with Merrick ;-) I know there is a lot of depth to him though and I'm excited to learn more about him and get inside his head. And finding out just how he got that scar on his ear...

Thanks again for posting this! I'm so excited for August!! And congrats on finishing you're edits! :)